The Family Institute at Northwestern University, a national leader in teaching and research in family therapy, now offers comprehensive evaluations for children and adults, The Family Institute Assessment Services Program.

The program offers a spectrum of evaluation services including:

• Children: Testing typically explores learning, memory, attention, reading, Asperger’s Disorder and the autism spectrum, as well emotional regulation including motivation, depression, anxiety, and behavior disorders.
• Adults: Testing typically explores Alzheimer’s, other dementias, adult Attention Deficit Disorder, Depression/Anxiety, disability, closed head injuries following an accident and other disorders related to the functioning of the brain.

For child testing, we have devised The Family Institute Model of Child Assessment.  This model places a high value on systemic issues, a belief in the vital interrelationship between child, parents, siblings, friends and teacher, as does the family therapy model of psychological intervention.  We also value the relationship between mind, body and environment.  

Our assessment model for children thus includes:

• An initial session of comprehensive history taking, an explanation of and rationale for the tests to be used and a presentation of the cost.  (The fee varies depending upon the extent of testing, but includes all the services listed here and below.)
• Classroom observation and teacher visitation (when appropriate).
• Testing sessions short enough to compensate for testing fatigue.
• A follow-up meeting with parents to explain and present a report of findings. (The report that is clearly written and user friendly, giving specific recommendations for teachers, parents, and the referring psychotherapist.)
• The examiner’s revisit to the school (when appropriate) to advocate for the parents and child, and to help formulate a suitable educational plan based on the findings.

The Family Institute Assessment Services Program will serve parents and the community in response to our growing understanding and interest in the interaction of the brain, body and environment.  Neuropsychological assessments will keep this interaction in mind, and that same interest will permeate our psychological and psycho-educational evaluations. It is our goal at the Family Institute to become a leader in standard for assessment, as we are for clinical treatment.  

Assessments will be done by licensed members of our nationally-recognized staff who have expertise and interest in particular areas.  The director of the Assessment Services Program is John Ardizzone, Ph.D.  He brings 25 years of experience in neuro-psychological and psychological assessment administration, psychotherapy, publication in issues in special education, school consultation and university teaching.  For more information, please call him at The Family Institute, 847-733-4300, ext. 619.